A family narrowly escaped death when their house on the outskirts of Lagos collapsed on Saturday night, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
The incident occurred at No. 49, Oyinlola Street, off Adealu Bus-stop in the Iyana-Ipaja area. Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, stated that the agency received a distress call at 22:44hrs through the 767 and 112 emergency toll-free lines.
Upon arrival, LASEMA responders discovered that the boys’ quarters behind the main storey building had collapsed. Fortunately, the single family involved managed to escape unharmed before the collapse.
“Further investigations revealed that the boys’ quarters of the building collapsed due to neglect and poor maintenance,” Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu said.
The agency’s response team conducted public enlightenment to inform residents of the dangers of remaining in the building. The main structure, comprising nine rooms downstairs and two flats upstairs, has been cordoned off, and all occupants have been advised to vacate immediately for their safety.
Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu recommended the manual demolition of the building’s remnants and the clearing of debris from the collapsed boys’ quarters. Additionally, he suggested integrity tests by the Material Testing Laboratory to determine the safety and viability of the main building.
LASEMA’s prompt response and ongoing efforts highlight the importance of building maintenance and safety in preventing future incidents.
